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Improving Canadians Health, Safety, and Quality of Life

St John Ambulance is one of our country’s oldest charitable organizations and works to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service. Their Car Seat Safety & Inspection Program (Buckle Up Baby) is one of the many ways they are saving lives at work, home, and play.

Buckle Up Baby conducts one-on-one inspection of car seats to ensure that caregivers have installed the seat securely and correctly. The program also includes presentations and education to the public and professional groups. These activities will help prevent injuries, and even fatalities, in the event of a collision involving a child. St John Ambulance Car Seat Safety Teams are made up of trained and certified volunteers. These volunteers educate and coach parents or guardians in the use of child restraint systems. The goal is to help children travel safely at all times, by ensuring the restraint is installed and used correctly every time the child is in the vehicle. St. John Ambulance also provides workshops and clinics in the community which allow parents to have their seats inspected and assist with the correct installation if needed. It is estimated that over 75% of child deaths and injuries in motor vehicle collisions could be prevented with the proper installation and use of car seats. Buckle Up Baby is offered as a free service, although St. John Ambulance does accept donations with thanks.

“A lot has changed with car seats since I first had my children; they can be very confusing! The team at St John Ambulance inspected my Grandson’s car seat and helped me to understand the new rules and regulations to help keep him safe. I didn’t know that car seats expired, or that they had to be bought in Canada. They offer a valuable service to our community and I’m sure glad they were there to help my family!” – Sharon, Grandma. Parenthood comes with a lot of responsibility and new moms and dads, and grandparents, are often left feeling unsure of what needs to be done or if they are doing things right. The St. John Ambulance Buckle Up Baby program is one way to help people know that their little ones are safe and secure when riding in the car and thereby limiting the chance they will be hurt in the event of an accident. What a great peace of mind for parents and caregivers, and one way we can help keep our kids safe.

The St. John Ambulance - Thunder Bay Branch is located at 518 Fort William Road and can be reached by calling 345-1712.

United Way of Thunder Bay is leading the way to a better community by improving the quality of life for all local people. By collaborating with community partners, we are leading the way to addressing social issues in our community and investing in three critical areas: Poverty, Kids and Strong Communities. Donations to the United Way are strategically invested across Thunder Bay to many vital programs and initiatives in these areas, creating a social safety net that works to achieve lasting change for our neighbours, families and friends.